Books & Video by Dave Bowler,
Video Game by Steve Anglesey


BOOKS

FOR LOVE OR MONEY: MANCHESTER UNITED
& ENGLAND - THE BUSINESS OF WINNING?
Alex Fynn & Lynton Guest (Boxtree, £14.99)
Intelligently argued, cogently written, Fynn and Guest are defeated by events beyond their control - the pace of events. Since the text was put to bed, Sky's interest in United has surfaced, undermining at least some of their points. Equally, football is so hotly debated in every sector of the media nowadays - from gossip columns to the Financial Times - that many of their themes have been more than adequately aired already. As you'd expect from them, they cover the ground meticulously, but there's not too much here that you didn't already know. The most interesting issue is almost a throwaway at the death. Wilting under David Davies' inquisition when piecing together his World Cup diary, Hoddle says: "I understand, you're being the devil's advocate". "No Glenn, not entirely", his interrogator replied. (2/5)

ALL HEART - THE JIM JEFFERIES STORY
Jim Jeffries With Jim McLean (Mainstream, £14.99)
Not a book that will have a much wider appeal than the immediate environs of Tynecastle, this is a straightforward study of the man from Wallyford who has mounted such an assault on the might of Glasgow. Jeffries' success destroys the myth that management requires some secret, magical ingredient. He follows simple footballing principles, employs players with both skill and a brain, who are willing to work hard and methodically in order to maximise their qualities. There's a lot of Alex Ferguson in Jeffries - the working class background, the ability to mobilise a club and its fans, imbuing them with a belief that they can take on the Old Firm, and, most of all, a healthy work ethic. The big clubs that look for continental inspiration might do well to remember there are many virtues that lie closer to home. (3/5)

TALES OF THE TARTAN ARMY
Ian Black (Mainstream, £7.99)
An update of one of this year's best books, now taking in the latest adventures of a foot soldier from the Tartan Army, on duty at the 1998 World Cup. None of the new material upsets an amiable, extremely human and often powerful tale. The Army continue to see themselves as ambassadors for Scotland. They are self-policing and a wonderful advert for what international football should be about - their motto, found on many shirts: "I won't let the side down". In Ian Black, they have a gifted chronicler, not averse to some nefarious activities of his own, such as fraudulently returning to Glasgow on a Doctor's passport. It's a long story, but like all the rest, one worth the reading. Like the Army, it's not always perfect, but it's bloody glorious. (5/5)

FOOTBALLERS' WIVES
Shelley Webb (Yellow Jersey Press, £10)
I confess I didn't approach this with great enthusiasm, but all credit to the author (Neil's TV presenter missus), it's often an absorbing read. The individual pieces on the wives are a mixed bag and offer Webb less scope, being little more than transcribed monologues. Even so, there are fascinating snippets, such as the one about the Reading supporter who asked their laundry lady to save him some of the water she washed the players' shirts in after the 1988 Simod Cup Final. Unsurprisingly, the books peaks when Webb dissects her own life as a footballing wife, which she does with wit, candour, insight and wonderful tales of Cloughie punching Stuart Pearce in the stomach and of Alex Ferguson's spitefulness when he can't get his own way. A little more of Webb's own life would have been most welcome, though. (4/5)


VIDEO

ALISTAIR McGOWAN'S FOOTBALL BACKCHAT:
THE SECOND LEG (VVL Video, £14.99)
McGowan is certainly good at his job, and prolific, too. Most of the voices are convincing, the characterisations spot-on, his material well above average. This 52-minute video showcases his talent nicely and there are some inspired moments, notably Glenn Hoddle bludgeoning David Seaman's cat to death with a golf club, and the portrayal of Martin O'Neill as more neurotic than Woody Allen. And there's an explanation, via Michael Owen, of why the England squad dropped the song title game. Apparently, using them as subliminal hints to Glenda, they stopped because "we couldn't find any called 'Stop Picking Teddy'." (3/5)


VIDEO GAME

FOOTBALL WORLD MANAGER (UbiSoft, £34.99)
The best football management simulation ever? That's the early doors talk surrounding this Ron Atkinson-endorsed package for your PC, and the sudden increase in unpaid overtime at 365 Towers seems to indicate there might be some truth to the hype. Easy to pick up, lovely to look at and stuffed with enough features to satisfy any Wenger wannabe, FWM is less stats-obsessed than many of its competitors and much the better for it. 365's favourite bits? Our resident Villa hater was keen on the ground redevelopment feature, which allowed him to reduce the Holte End to rubble. We all liked the chance to give your manager plastic surgery - mullets and Scouser moustaches all round, just like the real thing. But best of all are the spectacular match highlights, and the ability to have a right go at your team during the game if they're lollygagging. After his adventures at Highfield Road and Hillsborough, BFR's finally scoring goals for fun with this one. 5/5

Thanks to our friends at UbiSoft, you can now download the Big Ron Atkinson Photofit Game. Mess about with the various facial options and if you succeed in creating the Big Man's spitting image, you'll be given a special password which will help you enter a competition to win some good stuff. Just click here to join in.